Source: Running back is wearing walking boot to protect injured ankle11:43 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News IRVING – Running back Julius Jones was wearing a walking boot on his left leg Tuesday and the Cowboys are preparing as if he will not play Sunday, a source said. Jones missed the second half of the Cowboys' 33-10 win over Philadelphia because of a high ankle sprain. Jones did not practice Wednesday morning. He and injured linebacker Dat Nguyen (neck) rode stationary bikes instead. If Jones can't play in the important NFC East game against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium, the Cowboys could start rookie free agent Tyson Thompson, an Irving High School graduate, or veteran Anthony Thomas. CowboysPlus Cowboys' Jones might miss game Inside Valley Ranch: Cowboys need encore performance Taylor: Building blocks fun for Johnson Nguyen expected to sit again Rick Gosselin's Quick Take: The Giants' personnel ... In focus: Jeremy Shockey, Giants TE Cowboys-Giants at a glance More Cowboys Thompson carried a career-high 20 times for 75 yards against the Eagles, but he gave Cowboys coaches some tense moments when he had two apparent fumbles on one fourth-quarter drive overturned by instant replay. Thomas, a five-year veteran, has two 1,000-yard seasons to his credit, but he has been deactivated twice this season because he doesn't play special teams. He had four carries for 5 yards against the Eagles. Early Tuesday afternoon, owner Jerry Jones said he thought Jones would play against the Giants. "He's a quick healer," Jerry Jones said. "He's fast and young, and I think there's a good chance he'll play. "It's not anything like the high ankle sprains some of the players in training camp had that kept them out for a while." Jones, who has 407 yards rushing and a 3.6-yard average this season, has been the focal point of the offense after averaging 114.7 yards in eight starts last season. Defensive coordinators have made him the focus of their game plans, one reason he hasn't produced a 100-yard game. Jones seemed on his way to ending that streak against the Eagles with 72 yards on 16 carries in the first half, including a 25-yard run, his longest of the season. He injured his ankle while being tackled by linebacker Mark Simoneau for no gain and limped off the field with 18 seconds left in the half. He then limped to the locker room for X-rays. Jerry Jones said the second-year running back has not had an MRI exam. The Cowboys signed Thomas in the off-season in case of just such an injury. After all, Julius Jones missed part of training camp last year with a rib cartilage injury and missed seven games with a broken shoulder blade. "Thomas is a valuable person to have, especially when you see we're a little up in the air with Julius," Jerry Jones said. "You can say what you want, but it's important to have depth. "He was brought in here to have a specific role in the offense, but that hasn't happened. I know it's frustrating, but I've tried to impress upon him that we're going to need him before the end of the season." DallasNews.com staff writer Matt Mosley contributed to this report.
Mabey Jones needs an injury to get his game rollin`like last year
Mabey Jones needs an injury to get his game rollin`like last year


about pinned threads, but with 10 other threads started on Jones, can we just pin this? Or at least pin whichever J Jones thread has real news in it.
That's all you need to know.